Germany's Autobahns Say "Willkommen" To Robocars

02.02.2015 | |

It must be unnerving for a new driver to prepare to enter the passing lane only to see, at the last possible moment, a metallic monster streaking by. How much more nerve-wracking would it be if the monster had no driver at the wheel?

For some, that would be the true test of robocar reliability. And, if Germany’s government has its way, it’ll happen first on that country’s autobahn system, famous for its speed-limit-free stretches.

In an announcement earlier this week, the government said that it would soon allow robocars onto autobahn A9, which runs from Berlin straight down to Munich. In the beginning, at least, it will involve experimental cars, such as those now in development at Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW.